Task Force Formed to Review Medical College Seats and Fees

The Medical Education Commission, under the leadership of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, has formed an 11-member task force to review the number of MBBS and BDS seats in private medical colleges, along with their fee structures.

The decision was made during the Commission’s 18th meeting held at Singha Durbar. Dr. Deepak Kafle, Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has been appointed coordinator of the task force, which has been directed to submit its recommendations within 10 days.

The task force includes key stakeholders such as Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Bikash Devkota, TU Faculty of Medicine Dean Dr. Mohan Sharma, KU Faculty of Medical Sciences Dean Dr. Manoj Humagain, and medical experts Dr. Bhagwan Koirala, Dr. Ramesh Kant Adhikari, Dr. Dibya Singh Shah, and Dr. Mangal Rawal. Also on the team are Nepal Medical College Chair Dr. Anil Karki and Dr. Gyanendra Karki, President of the Association of Private Medical and Dental Colleges.

The formation of the task force follows concerns raised by private medical colleges about the financial strain of providing government-equivalent subsistence allowances to resident doctors. The issue gained urgency after students threatened renewed protests over unpaid allowances.

Previously, the Commission’s 16th meeting on February 7 had mandated that private colleges provide a monthly subsistence allowance of Rs 48,500 to resident doctors, matching the government’s 8th level pay scale.

Once the task force submits its report, the Commission will determine the necessary adjustments. Private colleges will then be required to implement the recommended allowance, and the student admission ‘matching’ process will proceed accordingly.

The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for April 28.